Movement around tree?

[g2outdoors]

A lot of it depends on tree size. Big trees are TOUGH to shoot 360 without a full ROS. But walking around the tree has its own set of problems. Honestly it doesn't work well in real life hunting situations for most guys. Some love it, but most guys use platforms.

Medium (basketball size at hunting height) and small trees are much easier to shoot 360 even without walking around.

Here's a video I made 4 years ago going over the basics. Some gear has changed, but it's still relevant.

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[GCTerpfan]

Thanks @g2outdoors . That video is pretty close to what I do but, I think that because Greg is trying to highlight the footwork in the video it makes it seem like there is more movement than is actually required. By placing my right hand against the tree to steady myself I can make the same movements shown in the video to the weak side, and to the strong side with one long slow step. I think once people practice it a couple of times they will see it's not much (if any) more movement than a platform.

 

[g2outdoors]

Thanks @g2outdoors . That video is pretty close to what I do but, I think that because Greg is trying to highlight the footwork in the video it makes it seem like there is more movement than is actually required. By placing my right hand against the tree to steady myself I can make the same movements shown in the video to the weak side, and to the strong side with one long slow step. I think once people practice it a couple of times they will see it's not much (if any) more movement than a platform.

Yes I agree. The movements in the video are exaggerated for demonstration purposes.

Once you've practiced the moment a few times...it's simple as pie.

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[Arrowsquirrel]

A lot of it depends on tree size. Big trees are TOUGH to shoot 360 without a full ROS. But walking around the tree has its own set of problems. Honestly it doesn't work well in real life hunting situations for most guys. Some love it, but most guys use platforms.

Medium (basketball size at hunting height) and small trees are much easier to shoot 360 even without walking around.

Here's a video I made 4 years ago going over the basics. Some gear has changed, but it's still relevant.

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This video kinda highlights a problem I think most people don't understand well.

That is that a weak side shot is much more movement and harder to get to with a platform.

Say a deer is at 3 o'clock. In this video he goes towards the deer and turns around on the side of the tree that the deer can see you with both methods. That's the only way to do it with a platform. The proper method with a rod or at least the one that makes a lot more sense in my opinion is to walk around the back side of the tree. Much easier with deer close. This turns that shot into your normal top shot.

Adding a couple steps to your platform fixes that but at what point do you just use a ros

 

[g2outdoors]

I also don't use that method anymore. If the deer allows, I stand up, rotate around, and put my back up against the tree. I shot 2 deer in the last 2 seasons doing that.

However, if the deer doesn't cooperate, in a pinch you can rotate around sideways like I demonstrate in the video for the weak side shot.

And the foot movement is exaggerated in the video (for both styles) in the interest of new hunter demonstration. Neither method requires much effort in a real life scenario.

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[g2outdoors]

Say a deer is at 3 o'clock. In this video he goes towards the deer and turns around on the side of the tree that the deer can see you with both methods. That's the only way to do it with a platform. The proper method with a rod or at least the one that makes a lot more sense in my opinion is to walk around the back side of the tree. Much easier with deer close. This turns that shot into your normal top shot.

I agree.

Moving around the "top side" of the tree is easier for a 3 o'clock shot.

However with a platform, you can only do that on smallish trees. With large trees, it's hard to get past 1 o'clock coming around the top side.

In large trees, a ROS is definitely helpful.



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[John 35]

What do the ros guys do when there are limbs blocking movement around the tree? Or when the tree is leaning? All the videos on YouTube where people are demonstrating an ros they use a nice straight tree with no limbs in the way.

 

[GCTerpfan]

What do the ros guys do when there are limbs blocking movement around the tree? Or when the tree is leaning? All the videos on YouTube where people are demonstrating an ros they use a nice straight tree with no limbs in the way.

I try to set up in an area that doesn't have limbs blocking my movement, or I accept that I can't shoot that direction. That's not just a ROS issue though. The same limbs will interfere with your shot whether you are taking step around the tree on a ROS or are leaning around the tree while pushing off of a platform.

 

[trailblazer75]

I think I treat this differently than some. To me, moving around the tree and shooting 360 degrees are 2 different things. I don't move around the tree to shoot 360. Shooting 12 o'clock, 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock are all easily accomplished from the platform, with only one shot needing a lift over the bridge. I can shoot from 1 to about 8 by turning to my right (I'm a southpaw) and then from 8-11 I just lift my bow over the bridge and turn left.

I don't walk around the tree. I shoot 360.

 

[John 35]

I try to set up in an area that doesn't have limbs blocking my movement, or I accept that I can't shoot that direction. That's not just a ROS issue though. The same limbs will interfere with your shot whether you are taking step around the tree on a ROS or are leaning around the tree while pushing off of a platform.

I meant that if you are on a platform you can simply turn around to shoot your weak side when a tree limb is blocking movement around the tree. But moving around the tree can work great in the right situation.

 

[GCTerpfan]

I meant that if you are on a platform you can simply turn around to shoot your weak side when a tree limb is blocking movement around the tree. But moving around the tree can work great in the right situation.

Yeah agreed. I was envisioning a limb on the strong side when responding above but, you are correct. If there is a limb in the way on the weak side then you would be more limited with a ROS. A platform you could stand up and pivot your feet.

 

[Kurt]

i do find myself hunting a little higher in the tree when I use a saddle just so I can get away with a little extra movement if I need to. You end up moving in a stand or a saddle, if it's timed right you get away with it. In both methods we use the tree to block movement. A deer walking from 12:00 o'clock to 6 on the weak side eventually becomes a drop shot. A deer moving from 6 to 12 on the weak side eventually becomes a top shot. A deer moving away on the weak side has their back to me so I can come over the bridge, or spin on my platform, or step off on to the one squirrel step on my platform strap and take it on the other side of the tree. It's about being patient, waiting for the time to move and realizing that maybe, just maybe every deer that comes into range isn't an automatic candidate for an arrow.....

 

[John 35]

I like using both a platform and ros at the same time to cover all my bases. It’s well worth it to me to carry the extra gear. I like to run 3 squirrel steps on a separate strap so I can put them lower than my platform strap.